DHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - The country witnessed surge in fire incidents in 2025, with a total of 27,059 cases-an average of 75 fires every single day, according to a press release of Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD). 

Electrical faults alone accounted for 34.7 percent of all incidents, emerging as the leading cause of fires nationwide, it also said.

The fires left 85 people dead and 267 injured while causing an estimated property loss of Tk 569.97 crore, it added. However, timely firefighting efforts helped save property worth Tk 3,263.62 crore. 

The Fire Service identified electrical faults as the leading cause of fires, accounting for 9,392 incidents (34.71%). 

Other major causes included burning pieces of bidi-cigarettes (4,269), stoves (2,909), gas cylinder leakage (920), and gas supply line leakage (562).

There were also incidents caused by gas cylinder explosions, chemical accidents, children playing with fire, hot ashes, electric coils, and firecrackers.

In terms of locations, homes and residential buildings were the most affected, with 8,705 fires, representing 32.17 percent of the total. Significant numbers of fires were also reported in haystacks (3,922), shops (1,800), haat markets (1,067), shopping malls (617), and garment factories (665). 

Fires were also recorded in hospitals, educational institutions, mosques, temples, slums, power substations, and industrial warehouses. 

The transportation sector was not spared. In 2025, fires broke out in 153 buses, 216 other vehicles, 10 trains, four launches, two ships, and one training aircraft.

Seasonal data showed that fires were most frequent during the dry months, with the highest numbers reported in March (3,522), followed by April (3,035), February (2,885), December (2,724) and January (2,708). 

During these months, an average of 123 fires per day was recorded.

Casualty analysis revealed that men accounted for the majority of both injuries and deaths. Among the injured, 197 were men and 70 women, while 46 men and 39 women lost their lives. 

The highest number of casualties occurred in residential buildings, chemical accidents, and aircraft-related fires.

Beyond firefighting, the Fire Service and Civil Defense conducted 1,071 diving operations, rescuing 70 injured persons and recovering 585 bodies. 

In total, the agency responded to 10,140 accidents, rescuing 10,333 injured and recovering 1,756 dead bodies, with road accidents accounting for the majority.

To strengthen prevention, the Fire Service inspected 10,533 buildings under its fire safety survey. Of these, 622 were identified as highly risky, 3,316 as risky, and 6,595 as satisfactory. 

Additionally, 192 mobile courts were operated, resulting in fines of Tk 1.94 lakh against 179 organizations, while cases were filed against eight others.

As part of awareness and preparedness efforts, the Fire Service conducted 15,865 exercises, 3,722 fire drills, and provided basic fire safety training to over 173,800 people nationwide. 

Special training was also given to 156,840 garment workers, along with the creation and refresher training of hundreds of community volunteers.

The Fire Service and Civil Defense reiterated the need for greater public awareness and strict compliance with fire safety measures to reduce future losses.